AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9735, 4 February 1895, Page 3

AQUATICS.

YACHT CLUB RACES.

On Saturday afternoon the Yacht Club races took place in the harbour. The fine yacht Viking acted as flagship, being moored off the end of the Queeu-streefc Wharf. Quite a number of yachts of all classes were cruising about the harbour during the afternoon, and considerable interest was taken in the events, a large crowd assembling on the end of the Queen-street Wharf. The sailing committee were: Messrs. J. L. R. and H. R, Bloomfield and John Wiseman. The wind was somewhat light at the time of starting, being from the n ort.hwivrd, but freshened up somewhat as the afternoon progressed. There were three events on the programme, and some interesting racing resulted. The steel yacht Thetis scored another win in the race for five-raters, and the Gloriana again got home in front of the Zinita. The Daisy, which had entered, did not start for some reason. The first race was started at two o'clock, and was for yachts of five rating and under, the entries being Thetis, Rangatira, Yvonne, Aorere, and Ngaru. The course (a IC-mile one) was from the flagship round a mark boat off the Bastion, thence round a mark boat off Rangitoto, near the black buoy, inside the reef, returning the same way, thence round a mark boat off the Sugar Works, finishing off the flagship. The Ngaru had to be recalled, owing to being below the starting line. The Raugatira was first away, followed by the Thetis (to leeward), Aorere, and Yvonne about even, and Ngaru last. The Thetis soon took the lead, and was first round the Bastion mark, followed by the others. On the beat clown to the Rangitoto mark, these positions were maintained, as well as on the return journey, the Bastion mark being rounded by the Thetis first, Rangatira, lm. 7s. behind, Aorere, 2m. '235. ; Yvonne, 3m. '225. ; and Ngaru, sin. 113. On the lead up the harbour Rangatira had made up a few seconds, Yvonne taking third place, being '20s. behind Rangatira, Aorere nearly a minute behind Yvonne, and Ngaru a long away astern. The Sugar Works buoy was rounded in the same order, though Thetis had increased her lead a good deal, and Yvonne had come up a good deal on Rangatira. The finish was: Thetis, 1; Yvonne. 3m. 50s. ; Aorere, 4m. 275; Rangatira, 4m. 425.: Ngaru's time was not taken. Time allowance was from Thetis: r vonne, 175.; Aorere, 525.; Ngaru and Rangatira, 2m. 235. Rangatira thus takes second place. The second race started at 2.20 p.m., and was for yachts of two-and-a-half rating and under. The entries were : Gloriana, Zinita, and Daisy. The course was the same as for the first race. Daisy did not start. Zinita was first away closely followed by Gloriana, and the Bastion mark was rounded in the same order. On the reach across to the North Head Gloriana came upon Zinita very fast and passed her, and the same positions were maintained down the channel and on the way back. Passing the flagship 011 the bad up to the sugar works boat Gloriana was lm. 225. ahead, Zinita going very fast (>nd decreasing the distance, Gloriana not appearing to travel so fast as she had down the harbour. When the sugar works buoy Was rounded Zinita had come up about 205., a».*d a most exciting race ensued on tho home stretch, Gloriana passing the flagship only 4-1 Seconds ahead. The Whio was the only eutry for the event for yachts of one rating and under, and sailed over the course. Next Saturday afternoon the races for the Commodore's, Vice-commodore's and Rear Commodore's cups take place, the entries being the same excepting the Aorere, which is going for a cruise.

V YACHT RACE AT WELLINGTON. A Press Association telegram says :— Another handicap yacht race was sailed on Saturday over the champion course. Waitangi finished first, .Maritana second, Pastime third, Rona fourth, Isca fifth. On time allowance the Maritana was first, Rona second, Pastime third, Waitangi fourth, Isca fifth. Mascotte did not start. Pastime easily beat Isca for first prize (£10), offered the previous Saturday. Waitangi was not allowsd to compete again for the prize, as it was only Pastime which lost ground in going to the rescue of Mr. Haydon, one of the crew of the Mascotte, who fell overboard on the 26th ultimo. Waitangi will retain the second prize, and Isca, having been beaten Ijy Pastime, takes third prize.